A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held this week at Home for the Brave in Bridgeport, celebrating the completion of a major multi-million-dollar renovation aimed at expanding veteran housing and services. The approximately $3.7 million project added 11 new private veteran suites, a new elevator for full ADA accessibility, updated medical and counseling rooms, and a new outdoor courtyard and gathering space designed for therapeutic use and community events.
Local and state officials joined staff, supporters, and veterans for the ceremony, praising the nonprofit’s continued commitment to helping formerly homeless veterans transition into stable, independent lives. The expansion allows Home for the Brave to serve more veterans at a time when housing insecurity remains a critical issue across Greater Bridgeport.
The Pequot Running Club of Fairfield will be holding its annual Thanksgiving Day five-mile road race on Thursday, November 27, 2025. The race kicks off in Southport and will initially enter Westport from Pequot Avenue/Beachside Avenue.
It then travels North on Sasco Creek Road, East on Greens Farms Road, Northwest on Clapboard Hill Road, South on Maple Avenue South, West on Greens Farms Road, South on New Creek Road and then East on Beachside Avenue until the race re-enters Southport on Pequot Avenue.
The race is scheduled to begin at 8:00 am and should have completely exited all Westport roads by approximately 11:00 am. While the race is traveling through town, residents and motorists can expect temporary road closures and delays associated with the event.
Please alter any travel plans accordingly, allowing extra time for any delays caused by the event, and/or seek alternate routes around the area wherever possible.
A one-car rollover crash on the Merritt Parkway northbound near exit 29, which is the former exit 47. The driver fled the scene according to unconfirmed reports.
A man was pinned while changing a tire on I-95 southbound near Exit 36. According to unconfirmed reports, a tourniquet was applied to his leg. This is a developing story and no further details have been released.
Bridgeport Public Schools announced significant progress in reducing chronic absenteeism, reaching the lowest rate in five years. According to the latest data shared with the district by the Connecticut State Department of Education, Bridgeport Public Schools has reduced its chronic absenteeism rate to 22.6 percent as of October 2025, a major improvement from 32.0 percent in October 2024 and below pre-pandemic levels.
Five Year Comparison of October Chronic Absenteeism 2025 – 22.6 percent 2024 – 32.0 percent 2023 – 28.0 percent 2022 – 29.9 percent 2021 – 30.6 percent 2020 – 31.1 percent
Early internal indicators for November show continued progress, with the district estimating 23 percent, compared to historical November rates that typically range from 27 percent to 32 percent.
“These numbers show us something important. Our collective work is taking hold,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Royce Avery. “This progress is the result of principals leading with intention, teachers building strong relationships, and school teams staying connected with families. When our district comes together with one purpose, our students feel the difference.”
This milestone is a testament to the collective effort of administrators, principals, teachers, support staff, families and community partners working through the District Attendance Team. The work is district wide, and every school, grade level and team is engaged.
The District’s Attendance Team has strengthened:
Analyzing real time attendance data Family outreach and home visits School based attendance teams Incentive and engagement programs Transportation and communication supports Social and emotional learning and connections to community partners Creating positive school climate and culture across the district
“This progress reflects the power of partnership,” said Carli Rocha-Reaes, Director of School Counseling and Partnerships. “Thank you to our families for trusting us and sending your children to school every day, and to our students for showing up ready to learn. Together, we’ve achieved something meaningful and together we will keep raising the bar for what’s possible.”
Bridgeport Public Schools encourages staff, families and partners to stay focused through the holiday season, a period when attendance typically dips across Connecticut.
The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce that Santa will once again be visiting Fairfield on Sunday, November 30, 2025. Greeted by Fairfield’s First Selectwoman Christine Vitale, Santa Claus will arrive by hook-and-ladder down Reef Road at 10:00am. He will sit in the beautifully decorated gazebo on Sherman Green until approximately 2:00pm, as he listens to the wide-eyed holiday wishes of all the children who visit him. Santa’s elves will give each child an adorable, small plush holiday toy!
This free event, celebrating its 23rd year, is made available to the community through the generous support of the Chamber’s member sponsors (TVEyes, AMR (American Medical Resonse, AFC Urgent Care, GoNetSpeed, Massage Envy/Fairfield, Children’s Art Classes, Hartford HealthCare, Cambridge Trust, Yale New Haven Health, Cambridge Health & Rehabilitation Center, Ludlowe Center for Health & Rehabilitation, Bigelow Tea, Westy Self-Storage, SHU Community Theatre, Fairfield University, Two Men & a Truck, and expressly The Learning Experience as the Title Event Sponsor.
As in the past, the ever-popular Horse and Wagon rides from Allegra Farms, will return, and will run approximately from 10am-2pm … the cost of each ticket is $5 pp. For music, DJ Scott Nickel will provide classical and traditional holiday music, creating an even more festive feeling, as children walk up to visit and see Santa.
The Chamber has also invited local Chamber non-profit organizations to set-up tables on the Green, to distribute information about their charitable organization. In addition, holiday face painting will be offered by the local Girl Scouts troop!
Weather: In the case of very heavy snow or rain, which would become dangerous and create a safety issue for attendees and horse & wagons, the event will be cancelled. Otherwise, it’s rain or shine. For current information, please visit the Chamber’s website: FairfieldCTChamber.com … or call the office: 203-255-1011.
Event Name: Santa Visits Fairfield Date: Sunday, November 30, 2025 Time: 10am – 2:00pm Location: Sherman Green Corner of Reef Road and Post Road Fairfield, CT 06824 Open and free to the public
Report of a multi car crash Route 8 North by exit 2. First responders are still on the way, and it seems that the crash is over on the side at this time.
Fairfield Police arrested Daniel C. Suozzi, 43, on Thursday after detectives completed a month-long investigation into the reported sexual assault of a woman known to him. The arrest was made on an active warrant obtained by investigators.
Suozzi was charged with Sexual Assault in the First Degree under Connecticut General Statutes 53a-70(a)(1). He was released on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on November 25, 2025.
Norwalk Police arrested Mathew Clark Jr., 41, after officers on selective enforcement duty approached two individuals loitering outside a storefront on Woodward Avenue displaying “No Loitering Police Enforced” signs. During the interaction, officers discovered Clark was carrying a multi-colored Byrna HD firearm equipped with a loaded magazine of pepper-ball ammunition and a CO₂ cartridge.
Clark, a convicted felon, was taken into custody and transported to police headquarters, where he refused to be fingerprinted. He was charged with criminal possession of a firearm, carrying a dangerous weapon, failure to comply with fingerprint requirements, and carrying a pistol without a permit.
His bond was set at $200,000, and he is scheduled to appear in court on December 3, 2025.
